TCD student wins 'Irish Times' debate

TO DEFAULT or not to default? The question that's vexed politicos and bar stool pundits alike was last night resolved with aplomb by the winners of the annual Irish Timesdebate competition.

King’s Inns took first prize and the Demosthenes trophy for convincingly proposing the motion that “This House would default.”

Debaters Lorcan Price and Áine Hartigan delivered a smooth and witty account of why Ireland “should default on what it is unable to pay”. The pair said “the argument that we will never get money again is wrong”.

Runners-up were Ross O’Mahony and Mark Thuillier of the Trinity College Dublin Law Society, who also spoke in favour of the motion.

Mr Thuillier was also named overall winner in the individual category, taking home the Christina Murphy memorial trophy for his speech which argued that Ireland’s debt is “a European problem that needs a European solution”.

Janine Ryan, of the University College Dublin Literary and Historical Society, who spoke passionately in favour of the motion, took second place in the individual category.

Now in its 51st year, the Irish Timesdebate competition promotes excellence in oratory and debating by third-level students.

The 12 finalists taking to the podium at Griffith College last night were from TCD, UCD, Dublin City University and Kings Inns and have debated their way through the winter from an initial pool of 300 speakers.

Chairman of the debate and professor of genetics at Trinity College, David McConnell, who is also a former chairman of the Irish Times Trust, said, "The Irish Timesdebate sees the most able young people in our country hone their skills. I congratulate all of those who competed at every level in the competition. I say to you, keep going and don't be discouraged by the present outlook. You are extraordinary people."

Former winners and finalists of the competition include broadcaster Marian Finucane, judge Adrian Hardiman, writer Gerry Stembridge, comedian Dara O Briain, former Irish president and UN high commissioner Mary Robinson and former minister for health Mary Harney.

Mr Price, Ms Hartigan and Mr Thuillier will take part in a debating tour of the US at the invitation of the National Parliamentary Debate Association of America.

The finalists also included, speaking in favour of the motion, Nikki Saarsteiner (King’s Inns), and those who spoke against it, Conor O’Hanlon (Commerce Economics UCD), Liam O’Neill (Hist, TCD), David Brady (DCU), Ceile Varley (DCU), Conor McAndrew (CE, UCD) and Huw Duffy (Hist, TCD).

The adjudicators included Irish Timesmanaging editor Eoin McVey (presiding), along with former finalists and winners, dean of law at Griffith College, David Langwallner, Irish TimesGAA correspondent Sean Moran, barrister Leo Mulrooney, and last year's debate convenor Frank Kennedy.